Chris Rattue: Crystal ball reveals ... Kiwis will star, but Warriors won't make it into the grand final

Shaun Johnson of the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

The NRL season has started, so Chris Rattue gives his observations and a few predictions

1. A trio of Kiwis ready to explode.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Roosters), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys) and Konrad Hurrell (Warriors) are still somewhere between new kids on the block and established superstars. Time to throw off the training wheels and get cracking fellas. With Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello retired, Tuivasa-Sheck is primed to shine at fullback but there will be plenty of learning still to do. Tuivasa-Sheck has the best step many of us have ever seen, giving him huge potential in the position with the most freedom. Taumalolo is well on the way to becoming a dominant forward - this must be his breakthrough year. There is talk about the rising Warriors outside backs, but Hurrell is still the one to watch. What Warriors fans won't want to see is the hands on knees/obscure injury look after big runs. If Hurrell's fitness is up to NRL standards and real injuries are kept at bay, he will be a sensation.

2. Rugby recruit Sam Burgess will be missed ...

Burgess is the greatest forward I have seen in a decade. The super-tough Englishman has it all, a prop who is quick and skilled enough to play lock, a leader who has an amazing influence on those around him. South Sydney face an adjustment beyond the usual impact of losing of a star player but have the confidence and strike weapons to do it.

3. Stop rabbiting on.

If only the star commentary duo of Ray "Rabbits" Warren and Phil "Gus" Gould would cut out the cute banter and in-jokes, let the humour come when it may, and get on with doing the job. They could be so good, but they're not. Other things to get rid of - players patting each other when things go well, players patting each other when things go bad ... orchestrated emotional/supportive responses are naff.

4. The Kiwis will win the Anzac test (yeah right).

The last frontier for the Kiwis, who have a horrible record in this fixture. It is the only test against the Kangaroos this year - ramming home the Kiwis' number one status will get right up Australia's noses.

5. There is an outrageous scandal or two or three ...

Yes, a cheap and predictable shot perhaps. But league never ceases to amaze in this department.

6. Faster doesn't mean better.

Wrestling is the dirty word yet anything slowing down tackles saves league from itself by working against one-up running. Not that this is an endorsement of dangerous wrestling techniques, but what the heck is wrong with good wrestling techniques? Faster would be better when it comes to decision reviews, however - video refs need to get a grip and and stop wrestling with the evidence.

7. Concussion bells still ringing

The NRL hasn't learned the lesson judging by the 2014 grand final, where Sam and George Burgess played on after being concussed. Souths claimed Sam wasn't concussed, yet the brilliant forward couldn't remember much of the game. Some players are too tough for their own long-term good - it's up to medics and team management to get tough in the right direction.

8. Do old dogs have new tricks?

Wayne Bennett plus Brisbane Broncos used to equal trouble for everyone else. But time moves on, and Bennett's magic touch isn't a given any more. The Broncos aren't even the best Queensland club these days - the Johnathan Thurston-led Cowboys have a better squad. Significantly, Bennett didn't make any headway at the Knights. After six seasons away from the Broncos, the return of the old master is one of the stories of 2015 whichever way it goes. There's also a buzz around a supposedly reborn Benji Marshall at the Dragons. His unique magic would be great to see again, but Marshall's best days were a long time ago.

9. Shaun Johnson

The Warriors' playmaker is worth a category on his own but we'll hide it at number nine, to keep a lid on the excitement. He comes across as a super bloke, but now's the time for Johnson to get a little nasty, to put the pedal to the floor, a foot on the throat. The bulk of his education is over - time for him to dish out the lessons week after week. The Four Nations final said everything about his ability ... over to you, Shaun.

10. A few predictions ...

The grand final will be between ... the Cowboys and Rabbitohs.

The Warriors will ... make the top four.

The top eight will finish in this order ... Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Warriors, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Broncos.

Manly and Melbourne are ... dynasties ready to crash

The wooden spoon will be won by ... the Titans, pipping the Dragons.